Need mechanics advice 97 ford explorer awd disengaging problems

Edited: 6/26/2009 6:14:35 PM by framedranger

I have a question I hope I can get solved. I have a 97 explorer 4.0 awd when going down the road sometimes it will start making a grinding noise,&nbsp; ( sounds like the transfer case disegages)&nbsp;so we throw it in nuetral and it will slowly wind down on the grinding noise. When we stop it will still do it until we switch the the&nbsp;auto switch to 4 low then drive for a few feet and then&nbsp;we switch it back in auto 4 wheel&nbsp;and it will go again. It would do this once a week for a few weeks but now it does it a couple of times a day. If we drive with it in 4 high it will not do it only when in 4 auto is when it seems to pop out of gear. I am thinking the switch on the dash or maybe the swicth on the transfer case, but not shure....any help would be great <!-- / message -->

couldnt tell you for sure, but i have replaced atleast 10 of the switches on the transfer case and never a dash switch.

yup the switch on the transfer case is prob the culprit.

the switching motor on the transfer case is only partially disengaging. replace the shift motor and you'll be set